At the end of March, members of the Sampson County Partners for Healthy Carolinians made their way into Clinton High School, Sampson County Early College, Sampson Middle School and Union High School to celebrate and support the first-ever Kick Butts Day held in the county.

Kick Butts Day is a national day of activism that empowers youth to speak up and take action against tobacco use and to raise awareness about the problems of tobacco use in their schools and community.

“I hope that Kick Butts Day has inspired students, faculty and staff at the local schools to quit smoking and/or to take action to protect our residents from second-hand smoke,” said Healthy Carolinian and project sparkplug Veronica K. Murphy. “Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in Sampson County. This is one of the many reasons why the Sampson County Partners for Healthy Carolinians has partnered with Question Y to form its first teen advocacy group against tobacco called Teen H.E.A.T.”

Those teens were out in full force at the event, says another project sparkplug and Healthy Carolinian Wendy Dixon, who was out demonstrating at Union High School. “It was amazing to see all of the kids who wanted to get involved with committing themselves to not smoking.”

Dixon explained that at each site, there were demonstrations, displays and other materials concerning the effects of second-hand smoke on lungs and bodies. “We had a lot of things to show the kids what smoking could do and what it has done to people,” she said. “We had pledges and a big wall that the students could sign to say that they wouldn’t smoke or get involved with smoking. To be honest with you, I was really surprised at how many of the kids were interested in signing that wall, committing to be smoke-free. It was great.”

“It was a huge turn-out,” added Murphy. “Everyone was excited about the simulated lung demonstration. The students and staff were interested in learning about second-hand smoke once they saw the lung. Several students signed up to be pledge free.”

Also on hand were restaurant cards.

“What we did was make these look like postcards and had the kids sign them,” said Dixon. “They would write down why they think a certain restaurant should be smoke-free ... Some wrote cards that thanks local restaurants for already taking that step.”

The cards will be sent out to local restaurants.

Dixon could not contain her excitement after Wednesday’s 75-42 House vote by lawmakers in favor of a proposed law that would have banned smoking in all workplaces, including bars and restaurants. A final House vote was scheduled Thursday. If approved, the bill would move to the Senate.

“I am just ecstatic about it,” Dixon said early Thursday morning. “It is just incredible. It has not passed in the last two years, and now, it finally has some support behind it — I am just tickled about it. It is something that will mae a big difference.”

If North Carolina’s smoking ban is approved this year, the state would become the 35th with some regulation on smoking in restaurants and bars. Arkansas, Georgia and Tennessee exempt restaurants and bars that don’t admit people under the age of 18 or 21.

For more information on the program call (910) 592-1131 ext. 4239.

To reach Doug Clark call (910) 592-8137 ext. 139 or send email to sisports@myclintonnc.com.